Travel Week in Review – March 29, 2024

A broad leadership shakeup is taking place at the aircraft manufacturer, capping a tumultuous period that has shaken faith in one of America’s most storied manufacturers. The top executive at embattled plane maker Boeing will step down this year amid a broader shakeup of the company’s top leadership, capping a tumultuous five plus years that has shaken faith in one of America’s most storied manufacturers. Read More…

American Express GBT announced Monday it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire global business travel and meetings solutions provider CWT in a deal some investors believe could foreshadow more mergers and acquisitions in the sector. The acquisition, valued at approximately $570 million and still subject to purchase price adjustments and other qualifiers, is expected to close in the second half of the year and is subject to regulatory approvals and other closing conditions. Read More…

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration said it would increase oversight of United Airlines following a series of recent safety-related incidents, a move the agency said could affect the airline’s future projects. “Due to recent safety events, the FAA is increasing oversight of United Airlines to ensure that it is complying with safety regulations; identifying hazards and mitigating risk; and effectively managing safety,” the FAA said in a statement.  Read More…

IHG Hotels & Resorts on Tuesday unveiled new U.S. prototypes for its three suites brands, designed to allow for more guest rooms per property. The prototypes, which IHG said would be available in the second quarter with the first properties to include new features set to open in 2025, “supplement–rather than replace–existing choices” for Staybridge Suites, Candlewood Suites and Atwell Suites, IHG said in a statement. The prototypes “emphasize space optimization and the potential for new efficiencies while retaining key features from current designs,” according to IHG. Read More…

Airports serve as gateways to discovering new destinations and often play an outsized role in our first impressions of a place. But even within the same city, all airports are not created equal—let alone airports across the entire continent of North America. In order to most accurately rank the world’s best airports, the Airports Council International (ACI)—in conjunction with travel tech company Amadeus—conducted passenger surveys throughout the year to collect feedback. Read More…